About the
The Renaissance: An Introduction
Lesson
Summary
This lesson is designed to be an introduction to the Renaissance period and some of its figures.
Lesson Objectives
• To be able to describe the shift in mentality from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.
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To be able to identify some of the painters, poets, and thinkers of the Renaissance period.
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To be able to list some of the features of Renaissance humanism.
Suggested Grades
4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade
Lesson Excerpt
The Renaissance refers to a time period in European history in which cultural ideas and motivations developed and changed from those traditionally found in the Middle Ages. The term Renaissance is a French word which means “rebirth,” and was first used by an art critic in the mid-1500s. Historians believe that the Renaissance movement started in Italy due to political and cultural conditions that favored learning and inspired men to re-evaluate the classics. Generally, historians mark the period as lasting between 1300 and 1600 CE. During this period, many wonderful works were created in the fields of literature, art, and philosophy. These fields came to be known as the humanities.
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